OM...

Here's some beautiful info about the Sanskrit character OM that I found on my last trip to the book store. Breaking down OM shows you the journey this mantra leads you on - into the subtle, spiritual realms. Enjoy!

"Find your conscious mind - Look at the top curve of the "3" shape. This is "aaa", signifying your conscious, waking mind.
Drop to your subconscious - View the lower loop of the "3" shape. This is the sound "uuu", which denotes and taps into your subconscious, a far greater space than the waking mind.
Discover your unconscious - Find the separate curved line flowing out from the junction of the main "3" shape - this is the sound "mmm" and relates to your unconscious. Then find the little half-moon above the main sympbol - this is maya, the veil of illusion that masks the deep truth of transcendental awareness turiya, which is represented by the dot, or bindu."

"The mantra OM is the universe. It is Brahman (the absolute). It is time - past, present and future. It is also that which transcends time."
Mandukya Upanishad (800-400BCE), India

Blizzard again...

Blizzard #1 left us without power for four days... I am very grateful for my friends down the road who took us in day 2 'til we got our power back. We got to enjoy the snow & then get back into a warm, heated home with abundance of food, laughter & lots of reconnecting time. By day 4 I was going bonkers though. I woke up and tried to ground myself with my practice, which helped for most of the day, but my heart was not wholeheartedly in it. So, finally today (with blizzard #2 pounding outside) having slept in my bed, showered, cleaned up refrigerator & freezer, and cooked for the day, I once again rolled out my mat in front of the fireplace. With a few candles & incense as ambience I went through a beautiful and deep hip practice. My hips were screaming of happiness, having stored up a bunch of emotions and as we say in yoga "the issues are in the tissues". Once in pigeon, I could feel all the stress that had piled up pour out my hips. So amazingly delicious! My heart was once again smiling! I ended todays practice with a beautiful chant that made my whole body vibrate in exhilaration:)
Lokha Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti
(May all beings everywhere be happy and free. Peace.)

Peace to you. Peace to me.

Scattered thoughts...

I've been thinking about this blog all day...We haven't had power since early this morning (blizzard with over 2ft of snow!) and I've had plenty of time to dream, read, think, surf the web, and brainstorm... In the end my body started signaling me to move, do something, act. So, in the midst of the turmoil that's called our family room, I rolled out my mat in front of the fireplace. Surrounded by kids, husband, dog, air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, books, boardgames, art supplies, art projects, steaming cups of tea & sweet smelling soy candles my body was rejoicing. My mind was focused, my breath slow & deep, and my heart smiling. My practice was grounding me once again. An hour later, I looked up with a decision that felt right... I'm on the right road. Right now. Right here. In my family room while the blizzard has finally ceased.